Israeli Military Negotiations with Lebanon Yield No Results, IDF Main Forces Cross the Litani River
BEIRUT, May 30 (Xinhua) -- According to a report from Lebanon's "Al-Masira" television station early on the 30th, the military delegations of Lebanon and Israel failed to reach an agreement on a ceasefire during negotiations held in Washington, D.C. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu confirmed that a main force of the Israeli military has crossed the Litani River in southern Lebanon.
"Al-Masira" television cited Lebanese official sources stating that the Lebanese military delegation insisted on achieving a ceasefire during the negotiations, but this demand was repeatedly rejected by the Israeli military delegation. Furthermore, the Israeli military delegation refused to withdraw from the Lebanese territory occupied by Israel and insisted on the "disarmament of Hezbollah."
Under U.S. mediation, this round of negotiations began in the form of a trilateral meeting between Lebanon, the U.S., and Israel at the Pentagon on the morning of the 29th Eastern Time and lasted for more than 9 hours before concluding.
During an inspection of Israel's northern border on the 29th, Netanyahu stated that the Israel Defense Forces' 36th Division has crossed the Litani River, advancing north and occupying high ground. The scope of Israeli military operations also includes the Lebanese capital Beirut, the eastern Bekaa Valley, and the "entire front line," targeting Hezbollah.
According to the Lebanese National News Agency, the Israel Defense Forces launched airstrikes on multiple locations in southern Lebanon that day, resulting in 11 deaths and 5 injuries. Hezbollah issued a series of statements claiming to have carried out multiple attacks on Israeli military forces and vehicles in the border area between Lebanon and Israel.
The ceasefire that began on April 17 between Lebanon and Israel is now effectively non-existent. According to statistics released by the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health on the 29th, since the escalation of the Lebanon-Israel conflict on March 2, Israeli attacks on Lebanon have resulted in 3,355 deaths and 10,095 injuries.
Israeli forces crossed the Litani River and advanced into southern Lebanon on May 30, 2023, following failed ceasefire negotiations in Washington. The Israeli Defense Forces conducted airstrikes targeting Hezbollah positions, resulting in multiple casualties. The ceasefire established on April 17 has effectively collapsed, with significant losses reported since the escalation of conflict on March 2.
- Israeli forces crossed the Litani River and advanced northward.
- Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon resulted in 11 deaths and 5 injuries.
- The ceasefire that began on April 17 is effectively over, with significant casualties reported since March 2.
- Negotiations in Washington failed to achieve a ceasefire agreement.